UWS Bagel Shop Ranked One Of The Best In United States

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — New York City needs very little introduction in its quality of bagel, and an Upper West Side shop just got named one of the best bagel makers in the entire country.

Without further ado, Absolute Bagels on 2788 Broadway, between West 107th and West 108th Streets, was named one of the 50 best bagels in the United States, according to a recent list from Food and Wine Magazine.

While Upper West Siders don't need to be told about the bagel and cream cheese haven in the neighborhood, it is nice to see Absolute Bagels get some much-deserved national recognition.

Here's what Food and Wine Magazine had to say about the Upper West Side bagel shop:

"And then there was (very nearly) one. After years of attrition on the Upper West Side, the neighborhood is left with surprisingly few destinations for bagel lovers. This no-frills, cash-only operation way up at the northern end of the neighborhood is not only one of the best, but it's also one of the finest old-school shops left in Manhattan. Sam Thongkrieng studied the craft at Manhattan's legendary Ess-a-Bagel, and it still shows in the generously-proportioned, (but not wildly oversized, either) finished product—big surface, big interior, not so much hole, all music to the ears of the loyal crowd lining up each weekend. No need to hurry out of bed—like any good New York operation, they're baking throughout the day."

Absolute Bagels was one of 10 New York City shops to make the list of best bagel makers.

The author of the rankings, New York native David Landsel, had some unexpectedly critical comments about the current state of bagels in the five boroughs.

"Then things took a turn somehow, and your average New York bagel started to look more like a pale, over-inflated tire," Landsel wrote about the New York City bagel scene losing its excellence.

His comments come despite a fifth of his own nationwide best bagels list hailing from NYC.

In terms of Absolute Bagels, a simple listing of the different types of bagels the Upper West Side shop offers is enough to make your mouth water.

• Plain
• Poppy
• Sesame
• Onion
• Garlic
• Salt
• Pumpernickel
• Whole Wheat
• Cinnamon Raisin
• Oatbran
• Pumpernickel Raisin
• Egg
• Everything
• Rye
• Whole Wheat Sesame
• Multi Grain

You can read the full best bagel ranking from Food and Wine Magazine — here.